Eskom has requested the help of the public to bring to book the electricity thieves responsible for the deaths of 29 people and serious injuries suffered by 82 others in Kwazulu-Natal over the past three years as a result of illegal electricity connections and other...

The government will continue to mobilise the private sector‚ the donor community and society at large to contribute to ensuring that the doors of learning and culture are open to all‚ says Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa.

“It says we need to increase the funding options available to support students at post-secondary level who are academically successful but who are unable to complete their study programmes due to financial hardships‚” Ramaphosa said.

Through the National Youth Policy‚ the government‚ the private sector‚ labour‚ youth organisations and civil society must collaborate so that the youth could reach their potential‚ he added.

“The National Youth Policy notes that our young people do not want a hand-out. They want a hand-up. You are the champions of your own development and authors of your own destiny‚” Ramaphosa stated.

As a result of its past‚ he said‚ the country was building off a low skills base.

There was a dire shortage of electrical‚ civil‚ mechanical‚ industrial and chemical engineers as well as artisans. There were also many unfilled vacancies for quantity surveyors‚ project managers and finance managers. “Many of these qualifications can be acquired at TVET colleges. Government is investing significantly in these colleges.

We are also leading efforts to strengthen partnerships between colleges and the private sector. “We are encouraging companies to offer internships and experiential learning for students at TVET colleges‚” Ramaphosa added.